My spring 2008 ASL 1 class decided to surprise me
and throw me a surprise baby shower! I've never been so surprised. They are a
devious bunch and did a good job of concealing this from me with the help of
several of my colleagues. They were far too generous with their gifts, but my
soon-t-be-born son will be well-outfitted and the mother-to-be was very pleased
with all the nice gifts. Thanks so much for your generosity and love!

Community College Association
Conference
Queen Mary Hotel, Long Beach, CA
In April, 2007, I attended my first CCA conference. Held on the Queen Mary, the
conference brought together delegates from community colleges throughout
California. My colleague Pam Boyles and I both attended as participants in the
second cadre of the "Building Stronger Locals" program.

Great Teachers Seminar
UCLA Conference Center, Lake Arrowhead, CA

In March, 2007, I returned to the UCLA Conference
Center with 15 of my colleagues for another Great Teachers Seminar. Once again,
we attended a number of work- and brainstorming sessions, relaxed in the
mountains, dined at the conference center, and learned from each other.

Gallaudet Fundraiser
Cold Stone Creamery, Bakersfield, CA

In March, 2006, students and faculty from the Bakersfield
College ASL Program came together to raise money to help send a group of
students and their instructors to Gallaudet University in Washington, DC. Cold
Stone Creamery was kind enough to donate 25% of their proceeds for the evening
to our cause. Faculty and students took a turn behind the counter dishing out
ice cream for all our friends and supporters. It was a fun and successful
evening and everyone enjoyed a dish of delicious Cold Stone ice cream!

Great Teachers Seminar
UCLA Conference Center, Lake Arrowhead, CA

In March, 2006, along with almost 30 other faculty members
from Bakersfield College, I attended the Great Teachers Seminar. The retreat,
which has been operating since 1969, brings together faculty from diverse
disciplines such as biology, music, Spanish, history, and ASL to discuss matters
important to them: student retention, student behavior, faculty governance,
philanthropic endeavors, etc. Held at the UCLA Conference Center in Lake
Arrowhead, it really was a wonderful opportunity to relax, learn, and enjoy the
company of some wonderful colleagues and facilitators.

Our meeting hall,
the Iris Room

Our facilitators planning
one of the many activities

Great teachers!

The UCLA Conference
Center

Lake Arrowhead

Profs. Larkin,
Hurd, and Kettner

Out shopping

Lora Larkin &
Tom Moran

Tom Moran

The Iris Room

The grounds of the
UCLA Conference Center

Profs. Besst, Boyles,
and Tatum

Our hosts, becki whitson
and Sally Hill

Great teachers!

Student
Field Trip to "Open Window"
Pasadena Playhouse

In October, 2005, faculty and students from BC's ASL Program boarded busses
once again to see live Deaf theater. Pam Davis, department chair, along with
instructors Tom Moran and Bryan Buckey, accompanied 90 students to the Pasadena
Playhouse to see a matinee performance of Steven Sachs' Open Window.

In July 2005, I had the unique opportunity to study with Ella
Mae Lentz, one of the authors of the Signing Naturally curriculum. Over
four days, nine ASL teachers worked together to learn about the level 2 curriculum, its
rationale, best teaching practices, and an in-depth study of units 13
through 17 and the Curriculum Review of the Level Two student text and teacher's
manual. Everyone enjoyed themselves a great deal and
learned a lot of really useful information that will benefit their students.

In February 2005, a group of 37 students and ASL faculty
members traveled to California State University, Northridge for a very special
day. We arrived at CSUN and met with a student panel at the National Center on
Deafness. Six Deaf students kindly shared their life and academic experiences
with Bakersfield College students enrolled in ASL 2, 3, and 4 classes, some of
whom may go on to study sign language interpreting. Following the panel we were
given a tour of the National Center on Deafness by Deaf CSUNian president,
Carlos Aponte. After a brief bite to eat at the bookstore complex, we then
walked to the Music Recital Hall to attend a lecture given by Paddy Ladd, "In
Search of Deafhood; What Does It Mean?" It was a fascinating two hours of ASL,
BSL, International Sign Language, and thought-provoking ideas from an
international perspective.

In January 2004, it was my pleasure to have studied with Cheri
Smith, one of the authors of the Signing Naturally curriculum. Over four
days 15 ASL teachers worked together to learn about the curriculum, its
rationale, effective teaching practices, and an in-depth study of units one
through six of the Level One text. Everyone enjoyed themselves a great deal and
learned a lot of really useful information that will benefit our students.

Chatting on a break

Attentive Students

Lunch @ La Bou

Lunch @ La Bou

Lunch @ La Bou

Lunch @ La Bou

Karen & Christy

Learning & Laughing

Byron Cantrell (our
moderator) & Cheri Smith

Byron, Cheri, and Ken Mikos

Byron with the grand prize
donated by Dawn Sign Press

Cheri draws
a name for Byron

Chatting during a break

Group Portrait: Levels 1
& 2

Group Portrait:
Level 1

A small token from Level 1
students

Practicing Unit 5

Practicing Unit 5

Practicing Unit 5

Practicing Unit 5

Salk Institute
La Jolla, CA

In June, 2003, while staying in San Diego, I had the opportunity to
tour the world-famous Salk Institute. While there, I met Dr. Ursulla Bellugi,
who, together with Dr. William Stokoe, is one of the pioneers in ASL linguistics
research. Dr. Bellugi's research has confirms that ASL is processed in the
brain's language centers.

The Salk Institute

The Salk Institute

Myself, Bert Pickell, and
Dr. Bellugi

Dr. Ursulla Bellugi

Research Display

Gallaudet University
Washington, DC

In July 2003, I spent two weeks as a visitor to the
Center on American Sign Language Literacy at Gallaudet University in Washington
D.C. There I observed a number of their classes and instructors and learned a
great deal about ASL and American Deaf history. Below are a few of my favorite
pictures of this beautiful and historic campus.

Kendall Hall

Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet and
Alice Cogswell

Laurent Clerc

Edward Miner Gallaudet

The Bison:
Gallaudet's Mascot

College Hall

College Hall

The Coffin-Shaped Door

College Hall exterior

College Hall interior

Newly Restored Meeting Room

Hall of Presidents

Door-Knocker Display (circa
1955)

Edward Miner Gallaudet's
desk

Ornate Architecture

Chapel Hall and Tower Clock

Chapel Hall

Faculty Row

House One

"Ole Jim"

Kellog Conference Center

Merrill Learning
Center/Center on American Sign Language Literacy

Hall Memorial Building

Student Academic and High
Tech Center

Tom on the 4th floor of
College Hall

ASLTA Conference
Indianapolis, IN

In April, 2003, I attended my first ASLTA Conference. The ASLTA (American Sign Language
Teacher's Association) was formerly associated with the NAD (National
Association of the Deaf) but are now on their own. The conference was their second national
event. I learned a great deal after attending
nearly 20 hours of workshops and met some great folks, too.